The Solar Training Network will help build the infrastructure to meet President Obama’s 2015 commitment to train 75,000 people for careers in solar by 2020. The program will enhance and expand solar training resources and connect employers to qualified applicants.

Improved access to solar training

For solar job seekers, the Solar Training Network will improve access to solar training, resources, and careers. For employers, it will increase the quality and diversity of the solar workforce and establish nationally consistent training standards.

“As the number of solar jobs increases dramatically each year, the Solar Training Network will help give job seekers the training opportunities they need, while helping employers gain access to qualified candidates,” said Andrea Luecke, President and Executive Director of The Solar Foundation.

Through the Solar Training Network, The Solar Foundation will build upon the successes of the Department of Energy’s Solar Instructor Training Network (SITN) program and prepare even more Americans for careers in solar. A strategically selected team of national experts in solar energy training, workforce development, and industry will collaborate with The Solar Foundation on this program.

Understanding the solar market

The Solar Training Network will also facilitate new research to increase understanding of the solar labor market, industry needs, costs, and potential savings associated with training the installation workforce.

The Solar Training Network, led by The Solar Foundation, also includes among others the American Association of Community Colleges, the National Association of Workforce Boards, Solar Energy International, and the Solar Energy Industries Association.

“As the U.S. continues its push for greater energy production domestically, solar will play an important role,” said Ron Painter, president and CEO of the National Association of Workforce Boards. “NAWB is pleased that local workforce boards across the U.S. are working with employers to skill their workforce in solar technologies. We look forward to working with The Solar Foundation to expand our knowledge of the field and increase the number of qualified workers available in the industry.”

“As a growing number of students seek careers in the solar industry, AACC is pleased to be a partner in the Solar Training Network, which will support community colleges as they meet workforce demands through high quality training and employer connections,” said Jen Worth, Senior Vice President, Workforce and Economic Development at the American Association of Community Colleges.

The Solar Foundation’s sixth National Solar Jobs Census report, released in January, indicated the U.S. solar workforce currently has nearly 209,000 workers, up 20.2 % since 2014 and up 123 % since 2010. The Solar Foundation also recently launched the highly interactive website SolarStates.org, which features solar jobs data broken out by state, county, and legislative districts.

The Solar Foundation / Volker Buddensiek

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